newstodate.aero
OCT 11, 2004 (newstodate): To combat the negative effects from rising fuel prices, Siberia Airlines has grounded it fleet of TU-154B aircraft.
The TU-154B aircraft is the least fuel-efficient aircraft on the airline's fleet.
Siberia Airlines' fleet currently consists of 52 aircraft, the majority of which are of Soviet or Russian production including 28 Tu-154M, 8 Tu-154B, 12 Il-86 and 2 Tu-204. These aircraft are less fuel efficient than their counterparts abroad, and are more costly to operate.
Siberia Airlines' fuel expenditures are generally higher than those of western airlines, which utilize aircraft of Western production, and comprise over 60 percent of overall flight exploitation costs.
Since the start of 2004, jet fuel prices in Russia have increased on average by more than 30 percent, expected to increase further towards the end of the year.
The original plan to decommission the Tu-1545B fleet was to be completed by 2007. However with the sharp rise in fuel costs, its continued utilization is not practical.
The new plan is to begin taking Tu-154B out of service starting in October and complete the decommissioning by the end of 2004.
The TU-154B aircraft is the least fuel-efficient aircraft on the airline's fleet.
Siberia Airlines' fleet currently consists of 52 aircraft, the majority of which are of Soviet or Russian production including 28 Tu-154M, 8 Tu-154B, 12 Il-86 and 2 Tu-204. These aircraft are less fuel efficient than their counterparts abroad, and are more costly to operate.
Siberia Airlines' fuel expenditures are generally higher than those of western airlines, which utilize aircraft of Western production, and comprise over 60 percent of overall flight exploitation costs.
Since the start of 2004, jet fuel prices in Russia have increased on average by more than 30 percent, expected to increase further towards the end of the year.
The original plan to decommission the Tu-1545B fleet was to be completed by 2007. However with the sharp rise in fuel costs, its continued utilization is not practical.
The new plan is to begin taking Tu-154B out of service starting in October and complete the decommissioning by the end of 2004.